C.—d

54

some time to come in a small way, as I am informed a new leader has been lately discovered carrying fair gold. 235 tons of quartz were treated for 458 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, value, £1,353 Is. 7d. An average of six men were employed. Great Barrier Island. Barrier Reefs Mine. —There has been little or no work done in the mine during the year, but the company had 782 tons of tailings treated for 948 oz. of bullion, value, £190 2s. 2d. —something near 4s. an ounce. Sunbeam Mine. —This ground was worked for a time during the boom, and although it was said good prospects were met with, yet it was allowed to come to a standstill. It was again taken up last year. Then the present company got possession of it, and have since done a little prospecting on the property. The results obtained have apparently satisfied the company that what will prove a payable concern has been got, and in consequence, they have purchased the Ethel Reefs battery at Thames, which is to be removed and erected near the mine. Accidents. I am sorry to have to report that eight fatal accidents happened in this district during the year, this being six in excess of the preceding year —the lowest then recorded for some time. It is very hard to account for so many; in one case it was proved the manager was negligent, but in some of the other cases the men themselves were in my opinion greatly to blame in not taking greater care for their own safety. These fatalities should act as a warning to workmen and officials generally. Twenty-three other accidents were reported as being considered serious at the time by the different managers of mines where such occurred, all of which were inquired into and reported on in the usual way.

Fatal Accidents.

I have, &c, James Coutts, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines. Mr. Robert Tennent, Inspector of Mines, Westport, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir.— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 30th March, 1904. 1 have the honour to report as follows on the gold-mines in the Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast districts for the year ended the 31st December, 1903 : — QUARTZ-MINING. Blenheim. Wellington Mine. —This property is at a standstill. Jubilee Mine. —This mine worked continuously until the close of the year, when operations were suspended, pending the amalgamation with the Luck at Last, and Wellington companies, and reconstruction of the company. The services of Mr. Evans, manager, are still retained on the property, and he anticipates that the driving of a low level to prove the reef at a lower depth will be commenced at an early date. 1,711 tons of quartz was milled which yielded gold to the value of £1,957 7s. 10d. Arm Chair Creek. —The only progressive work in this creek is the driving of a low level in the Duke of Cornwall property by Clow and party. Havelook. Golden Bar.— Further operations on this property have been abandoned. Mining on the Wakamarina Valley is still confined to a few fossickers.

Date. Name. Name of Mine. Cause. larch 9 Martin Dale Waihi, Waikino Mill . . A beam fell on him while at work in the mill. Killed by an explosion of supposed missed shots in drive. A bucket fell on him while working in a winze. Fell off ladders in No. 5 shaft, a distance of 90 ft. IS 11 Alexander Crosbie.. Talisman Extended pril 6 J. J. Landrigan Waihi lay 8 W. N. Parry and W. J. M. Cornthwaite Joseph Richards .. „ lOV. 13 New Zealand Crown Mine Killed while working in a stope. Timber overhead gave way. Killed by a truck falling down No. 1 shaft while they were working in the bottom. >ec. 7 J. F. Middleton and Angus McCole